KENNESAW, Ga. — A 17-year-old was arrested Monday morning after he was found armed and asleep in a stairwell outside a Kennesaw State University dormitory.
Campus police responded to a report of a suspicious person at the Austin Residence Complex on campus around 10: 30 a.m., Fox 5 reports. Officers located the suspect, identified as Jayshaun Smith, who was in possession of two handguns, ammunition, and THC. At least one of the firearms had been reported stolen.
Smith, who is not a student or affiliated with the university, was arrested without incident and charged with theft by receiving a firearm, possession of a pistol by a minor, and carrying weapons within a school safety zone. He is being held at Cobb County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
RELATED: How to Secure an Open Campus
Some Kennesaw State students shared concerns about the school being an open campus, meaning both students and non-students are allowed.
“It’s a lot harder to control who comes in and who comes out,” a student said. “We do the best that we can.”
Other students said they feel safe on campus.
“I do feel safe, it’s just those moments or particular situations that happen where you can’t really control everybody,” said one student.
“KSUPD is literally right down that street. They’re around all the time,” said another student. “They patrol the residential areas all the time — I used to see them outside my window.”
Kennesaw State Student Fatally Shot on Campus Year Prior
Last May, 21-year-old KSU student Alasia Franklin was shot and killed in front of the same residence complex the armed teen was found. The suspect, Samuel Harris, fled the campus but was later detained by Cobb County Police.
Franklin’s father said Harris, who is not a KSU student, was an ex-boyfriend who “didn’t want to let her go.” Her mother said they had known each other since middle school and had broken up five months before her death.
Harris has been charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, carrying weapons within certain school areas, and tampering with evidence.
